The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets improved to a record of 2-1 on the season today with a 30-24 victory over the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. The Yellow Jackets were led by the rushing duo of Quarterback Josh Nesbitt and Running Back Anthony Allen who both rushed for over 100 yards on the day.

Georgia Tech, coming off a 28-25 loss to Kansas last Saturday, took control of the second half after capitalizing off a UNC turnover on their side of the field late in the 3rd Quarter.

To start the game, UNC drove straight down the field against the Yellow Jackets before settling for a Casey Barth 20 yard field goal at the end of the eight minute opening drive. Both teams then alternated touchdowns for the next four drives that saw UNC’s T.J. Yates connect with Erik Highsmith on a 52 yard Touchdown along with Yates one yard touchdown run. Georgia Tech then responded with a 20 play 87 yard drive that ended with a Scott Blair 22 yard field to conclude the first half with both teams tied at 17.

After forcing a Josh Nesbitt fumble, UNC’s Johnny White rushed the ball three consecutive times before punching the ball in from four yards out to put the Tar Heels ahead 24-17. That would prove to be the last time the Heels would lead in the game as Georgia Tech’s running attack began to wear down the depleted North Carolina defense. With Georgia Tech leading 30-24 with just over six minutes left to play the Tar Heels offense, which had been slowed for the majority of the second half, began driving down the field. Carolina was able to convert a fourth and short, along with a 2nd and 18 after pass interference call on a pass intended for Tight End Zack Pianalto. Once UNC advanced the ball past the 50, the Heels were unable to convert a crucial 4th and 10 and thus turned the ball over on the downs and fell to 0-2 on the season and their second consecutive 30-24 loss.

Not all was lost with this game for UNC as Senior Running Back Johnny White had 113 yards on only 17 carries. Also, Quarterback T.J. Yates played extremely well again, and more importantly made no crucial mistakes. At this point for the Tar Heels, they continue to be snake-bitten by the fact that they are still missing so many bodies on defense that impacts not just that side of the ball but the Special Teams Units as well. As UNC progresses towards their next opponent Rutgers on next Saturday they have to continue to work on their consistency, because at this point they have played two fantastic halves this year. The second half against LSU and the first half against Georgia Tech. Now they just need to put those two together against Rutgers next weekend, in what has certainly become a must win game for Butch Davis’ Tar Heels and their season.